A British newspaper Daily Express has published an article saying that Vladimir Putin has outplayed Europe by agreeing to increase gas supplies to China
The author of the article, Anthony Ashkenazi, believes that Putin and Xi Jinping are close to concluding a deal to build the new Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. It is expected to deliver gas volumes comparable to those planned for European countries via Nord Stream 2.
“The agreement will double exports to China, up to fifty billion cubic metres of natural gas will be transported annually through the major new Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. This comes at a time when the rest of Europe is experiencing a serious energy crisis”, – said the author of the article.
The Russian leader earlier said it was unreasonable for Europe to obstruct the launch of Nord Stream 2 because the additional volumes of gas would lower fuel prices. European countries themselves contributed to the fuel price increase by launching Russian gas into reverse.
The pipeline requires the German Federal Network Agency to complete the certification of the pipeline operator. It was suspended in November because the regulator felt that Nord Stream 2 AG should create a German subsidiary and reapply for certification on its behalf. Russia expects the certification to be completed during the first half of 2022.